School Nutrition

Ames Community School District encourages all students to participate in the school breakfast and lunch program. The nutritious meals served promote better student learning. All fees pertaining to meals (breakfast and/or lunch) and any a la carte items that the student purchases, or consumes, shall be the responsibility of the student’s parents/guardians.

Below is a brief explanation of the meal and snack policy. Full policies are in Series 700 under School Food Services.

Students who qualify for free meals shall never be denied a reimbursable meal even if they have accrued a negative balance from previous purchases. However, they must pay for a la carte items or extra milk at the time of purchase.
Students with an accrued negative balance who do not qualify for free meals shall be allowed to charge a reimbursable meal (as defined by the USDA). However, they must pay for a la carte items or extra milk at the time of purchase.
Students who wish to purchase any extra items, regardless of their eligibility status or account balance, are required to have sufficient funds in their meal account prior to the purchase or they must pay with cash at the time of purchase.

Any charges incurred, until a new application is approved, are the responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian(s) and must be paid.

Students who qualify for free/reduced meals will be charged and deemed responsible for any extra purchases made. This includes, but is not limited to, single milks purchased with a meal brought from home.

The free/reduced applications are available throughout the year and must be completed EACH school year. We encourage everyone to fill out an application, even if you don’t think you will qualify.

School Meal and Fee Assistance

It is the Ames Community School District’s policy to accept responsibility for providing free or reduced-price breakfasts and lunches to eligible students in the schools under its jurisdiction according to the guidelines provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The District may also reduce or waive fees based on certain eligibility criteria.

In general, the District will waive fees for students who meet the financial eligibility criteria for free school meals, or the Family Investment Program (FIP), or are eligible for transportation assistance or in foster care. Students who qualify for reduced-price school meals may have their school fees reduced by 50%.

Fee waiver applications are requested through the Online Registration Verification process that occurs annually.
Families may reapply for waived or reduced fees at any time their circumstances change.

Information about eligibility for free and reduced-price school breakfasts and lunches can be found below. Applications are also available at each building office.

Have questions about meal assistance and how to apply? Visit our School Nutrition Frequently Asked Questions.